In a rare display of political unity driven by humanitarian concern, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur came together at the Thunag Rest House in Mandi district on Wednesday evening to assess the trail of destruction caused by relentless torrential rains and cloudbursts in the Seraj region. The joint meeting marked a crucial step toward accelerating relief, rescue, and long-term rehabilitation efforts in one of the most severely affected areas of the state.
Chief Minister Sukhu, while expressing deep concern over the widespread damage to essential infrastructure and public life, instructed all departments to act with urgency. He emphasized that restoring road connectivity, drinking water supply, and electricity should be treated as top priorities. With many villages in Seraj still cut off due to landslides and collapsed bridges, the CM asked the Public Works Department to deploy bailey and suspension bridges to re-establish temporary connectivity. To ensure no delays, he promised that the state government would release the required funds immediately.
The Chief Minister further said that he would soon visit New Delhi to meet Union Ministers and press for a special relief package for Himachal Pradesh, which has suffered unprecedented damage from extreme weather events. He also ordered immediate preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs) for roads, bridges, and water and electricity schemes that have been either washed away or badly damaged. Among key proposals is the 56-km Chail Chowk–Janjheli road, which Sukhu announced would be proposed for reconstruction and strengthening under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), with a deadline of one week set for DPR submission.
One of the meeting’s most critical outcomes was the joint focus on the rehabilitation of families rendered homeless. As winter draws near, Jai Ram Thakur emphasized the urgency of resettling those who have lost their homes and land to cloudbursts and landslides. Echoing this concern, the Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi to immediately identify safe zones for temporary resettlement where prefabricated housing structures could be set up to shelter the displaced population. The emphasis was on ensuring not just shelter but dignity and safety for those in crisis.
Sukhu also highlighted that nearly 60 percent of the state’s disrupted drinking water schemes had already been temporarily restored, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts despite massive logistical challenges. However, he stressed that this momentum must continue and that remaining schemes should be brought online at the earliest.
The coordination between the ruling party and the opposition leader signaled a welcome bipartisan approach during a crisis, with both leaders acknowledging the scale of devastation and the need for inter-departmental collaboration. Sukhu urged officers and engineers to maintain close coordination with the Leader of the Opposition to ensure that local concerns and feedback are seamlessly integrated into the broader relief operations.
The damage assessment will also include horticulture, a vital sector of Himachal’s economy, especially for hill farmers whose orchards have been wiped out in landslides and floods. Sukhu directed officials to survey affected orchards and submit a report on the estimated loss so that compensation measures can be devised swiftly.
As Himachal reels from one of its most severe monsoon impacts in recent memory, this collaboration between the Chief Minister and the Leader of the Opposition stands out as a beacon of hope. It demonstrates that when nature unleashes its fury, political differences must be set aside in favor of collective action for the welfare of the people. In Seraj and beyond, affected citizens now look to the government for swift action, compassionate rehabilitation, and a renewed sense of security.
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